The network also posted its first advertisements, and after parent company Facebook’s billion-dollar offer to the rapidly growing messaging service Snapchat, Instagram then debuted its own private messaging feature.

(Systrom:) “Today I’d like to introduce Instagram Direct, a simple way to send photos and videos to your friends.”

Instagram has over 150 million users sharing more than 55 million pictures every day.

Facebook — under the microscope on Wall Street to develop more revenue — will end the year on a high note with the recent launch of video ads. The stock has risen from the ashes and joined the S&P in December.